In the last post I explored the evolving dynamic that has emerged between the job hunter and his prospective employers. As we know, this is no longer the simple exercise of shooting fish in a barrel that it used to be; making a new hire can be difficult, very difficult. The skills in today’s marketplace are new, technologically advanced and require more than a solid noggin on your shoulders. To be able to navigate the social/digital landscape takes nous and experience, accrued over years of immersion. To understand the healthcare innovations and the advances in science that have made them possible, is not something that can be picked up by just anyone. These qualities take time, they take first hand understanding and all of this must sit on top of that good education and the solid noggin.
Having so many hiring managers come to us on a weekly basis, looking for top talent, we are able to see what the common trends are among the top agencies and the gaps that need to be filled. Number one on the list is the work ethic. It may seem the simplest and most obvious requirement when looking for a new hire, but honestly I cannot tell you the amount of people who have stellar experience and skills, yet are not hirable due to lack of character and motivation. Around 10 years ago, finding someone who had good experience with the digital space would have been slightly more complicated, but nowadays, young folks grow up with this technology. I personally had a Facebook account at age 11; too young? Probably… But still, the fact remains that the generation of 20-30 year olds have managed to become technologically integrated, just by being. Did you know that 70% of all children between the age of 12 and 17 have their own personal computer?
All of this is to say that skill sets which were previously hard to come by, now are common place. So what is the X factor when it comes to finding or being the best of the bunch? What I am constantly being asked to find is someone who has drive, a genuine interest in the sector that they work in and motivation. A hot topic that I have come across recently is “The 3rd Metric”, the principal that a happy and satisfied worker is the most productive. Many agencies are looking to find these people, who love what they do, who do not need to be micro managed and who love their jobs.
So, how to foster this kind of work environment? How to find the people who can make it work and really make your business special? Hire a good recruiter!
By:
Lucas Condon